The Frente Comum has called for a “major strike” by public administration employees on Friday in protest against the government, which it accuses of degrading working conditions and underfunding public services.
What to Expect? Here’s the Impact
Participation is expected from teachers, educators, school assistants, doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, public transport workers, tax inspectors, judicial employees, among others.
The strike, which includes all state employees, is motivated by demands for salary increases, career appreciation, reinstatement of public bonds, and the defense of public services.
Tiago Oliveira, general secretary of CGTP-IN, will join health workers at 00:00 at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon, and at 12:00 at Hospital de São João, in Porto.
CGTP’s general secretary, Tiago Oliveira, warned on Tuesday that if the government keeps the changes to labor legislation on the table, a general strike could be called.
“All forms of struggle are on the table, including a general strike,” said the CGTP-IN leader in Beja to Lusa.
“It will be a major strike and will force the government, if it has any sense, to realize that it is provoking social conflict and that it will not stop because workers demand different policies,” said Frente Comum coordinator Sebastião Santana during a press conference in Lisbon on Tuesday.
The union leader foresees the closure of many schools, disruptions in healthcare and justice services, as well as strong participation from workers in municipalities, central public administration services, culture, and monuments.
The National Federation of Doctors (Fnam) has also called for a strike on Friday, coinciding with the public service strike, due to the ministry’s refusal to negotiate the medical career.
Post-meeting with the Ministry of Health, FNAM announced a nationwide doctors’ strike for October 24, citing the Health Minister’s unwillingness to genuinely negotiate the medical career and decisions endangering the population, according to Fnam President Joana Bordalo e Sá speaking to Lusa.
Schools Also Joining the Strike
In a statement, teachers, educators, and researchers announced their participation in the strike, organized by FENPROF, to fight for better salary and professional conditions and the recognition of public education and science.
During the Tuesday press conference, union leader Sebastião Santana stated that workers cannot accept a State Budget that deteriorates working conditions and deprioritizes public services.
“760,000 public administration employees carry significant weight in Portuguese society. If the government overlooks this, it shows severe shortsightedness,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of accommodating Frente Comum’s demand for a 15% salary increase (minimum of 150 euros) given the slight surplus of 0.1% of GDP forecasted for 2026, the union leader affirmed it was possible with changes in political priorities.
“There is plenty of leeway. If the State Budget proposal does not include 1.7 billion euros in tax breaks for companies, or a 300-million-euro reduction in corporate tax (…). It is not about lacking money, but rather a question of political choice,” he stated.
Also at the press conference, Frente Comum described the labor reform package as “shameful” and said the state’s reform is a “flattening of public services,” evidenced by the creation of the Educational System Management Agency perceived as having a business logic, marking the first phase of dismantling the public education system.
On October 9, the government submitted the 2026 State Budget proposal to the parliament, upholding the initial forecast of public sector salary increases in the multi-annual agreement signed in November 2024 with Fesap and the Trade Union Front.
The planned increase for 2026 is 56.58 euros or 2.15%, rising to 60.52 euros in 2027 and 2028, extending until 2029. The current base salary for public administration, 878.41 euros, will rise to 934.99 euros in 2026, including progressions, promotions, and salary agreements, with personnel expenses estimated at 1.248 billion euros.
Frente Comum represents 29 unions across all public administration sectors.
